11 Food Storage Tips India Needs for Humid Weather

6. Cool cooked food fast, then chill

Humid kitchens make it tempting to leave steaming food on the counter while you finish other tasks, but warm, moist environments are ideal for bacterial growth. The safe habit is to cool cooked food quickly before refrigeration. Use shallow pans, spread curries into thinner layers, or place containers in an ice bath to bring down the temperature faster. Portion food into smaller containers for tiffins so each piece cools evenly and fits into the fridge without trapping heat. Avoid sealing hot food tightly; let steam escape briefly, then cover and chill once the surface is cooling. For heavy festival cooking, cool large pots by transferring to shallow trays and stirring occasionally to release heat. Rapid cooling is not just about safety — it also preserves texture so sweets, curries and dal don’t ferment or sour in humid weather.